I was at the movies, and I get a text message and call from Joe. (I suppose this was about 9 o'clock "tonight".) I didn't realize that he was calling asking me to help at the International Student Furniture Drive that was tomorrow. I decided not to worry about thinking about whether I could go until I got home. I had several excuses that I could give for not going because I was not really sure I wanted to go. (When in actuality I did want to go at the same time...if you know how that goes?) So I could have said that I didn't have enough notice. Or I could say because I wanted to sleep in. Or possibly even that I have some work I need to do for school. Or that we were planning on cleaning the apartment more tomorrow. Which all of those were true excuses. And many people would need just one of those to not go. However, my main hesitation was the meeting I had scheduled with Ricky at 10am.
I knew I wanted to help out because I have helped several times in the past few semesters. And I really enjoy serving people, especially in the means of projects that require more manual labor and such. And I know it is for a good cause I would be helping, helping deliver furniture to International students who, most of them, essentially have "nothing." (And also Joe mentioned he was short on people.)
I finally decided that I would check with Ricky and see if our meeting could be moved. If so, I would help. (Yet that still left the question, if we couldn't move it, should I work from 8 until 10, as we were starting to move furniture at 8am.) Thankfully I was able to move the meeting back until 1pm. So now I will be able to help and will, despite all the excuses I have. (Which one thing I've learned the last few years is that when I start making a lot of excuses for not doing things, especially good things, I really need to question myself. Because many times, I've found out, that is exactly what I need to be doing.)
Ok, so I think that's all of the story. So now, about God working, or rather, being able to hear from God. I am just starting this Experiencing God study that will last about 12 weeks. Since it was getting late in the night, I almost decided that I would not work on Day 3 of this week, but since I was already behind, I needed to go through it. It turns out that Day 3 is about "Learning to Be a Servant of God." Just from the title, I was like, "Woahh...and I was even considering not helping tomorrow." However, the study went in a little different way than I had imagined. It talked about how many times, we are told, "Just do something for God." However, the author mentioned:
We are a doing people. We always want to be doing something. I think God is crying out to us, 'Don't just do something. Stand there! Enter a love relationship with Me. Get to know Me. Adjust your life to Me. Let Me love you and reveal Myself through you to a watching world.'
Do you want to be a servant of God? Find out what is on the Master's heart. Discover where the Master is working; that is where you need to be. Find out what the Master is doing; that is what you need to do.
Do you want to be a servant of God? Find out what is on the Master's heart. Discover where the Master is working; that is where you need to be. Find out what the Master is doing; that is what you need to do.
The neat thing about that was, I know this furniture drive is a part of God working on this campus, as we have so many International students. Now, I only pray that I can do more than just deliver furniture to these students but that they will be able to see how good God is or that I will be able start a relationship with one or two of them.
And in Day 2 of this Experiencing God study (which this will be the last thing for this evening) , it talked about following God's will and Jesus being our model. The author has said:
And in Day 2 of this Experiencing God study (which this will be the last thing for this evening) , it talked about following God's will and Jesus being our model. The author has said:
During this course and throughout your life, you will have times when you want to respond to situations based on your own experiences or your own wisdom. Such an approach will get you in trouble. This should be your guideline: always go to the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of your situation to you.
I have heard this many times, but asked the question, how in the world do I begin doing this? (or at least something of the like) And then this happened tonight where I felt God was telling me I really need to help in this furniture drive. I just found it refreshing that I was able to come to the decision of helping before I looked at the lesson. However, my decision was certainly confirmed after going through the study.
That might be something small, but I found it really amazing!
That might be something small, but I found it really amazing!
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. - John 12:26
5 comments:
Read it! Good words. ;-)
You probably could have guessed, but I Read it too!
I read it. Thanks for sharing from your life, especially the part where you had such a despicable, sinful attitude. :-)
It's awesome when I remember that God is always at work around me and just keep my eyes open for what He is doing rather than trying to come up with something for Him to help me with.
I know how you feel about wanting to be able to do more than just help with furniture, or in my case helping getting driving permits...thats one thing that i will talk to you about this week
Wow Chris, that's such a neat story! The Experiencing God book sounds like a neat book, both of those excerpts seemed really relevent and convicting. It's encouraging that you could make the right decision beforehand. :) Keep it up!
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